CRP Payments Total $1.3 Billion-Plus

October 5, 1999

USDA is making more than $1.3 billion in payments on more than 400,000 contracts and to 270,000 farms under the Conservation Reserve Program. The program will pay an average of $5,000 per farm and $45.15 per acre.

Under the CRP, producers voluntarily retire environmentally sensitive land for 10-15 years. In return, USDA makes annual rental payments to producers and shares the cost of establishing approved conservation practices. Enrolled land must be highly erodible, contribute to a serious water quality problem or provide substantial environmental benefits if devoted to certain specific conservation uses.

State totals show Iowa producers get the single largest total, $137 million. Texas producers get $130 million, Kansas $102 million, North Dakota $104 million, Montana $99 million, Missouri $88 million, Minnesota and Illinois $63 million each, Colorado $62 million and South Dakota $61 million.

USDA also has announced that the next sign up for the CRP will be Jan. 18-Feb. 11 with contracts awarded becoming effective Oct. 1, 2000.